When the Andersons called me from Colorado, they knew they wanted something a little bit different, and a little bit fun. they were coming down to Albuquerque, New Mexico for a family reuinion and wanted to capture the beautiful scenery but didn’t want the “same ole, same ole”.

So when it came time to talk about wardrobe, the first recommendation I made was, “So… I ‘m going to suggest you all NOT wear jeans and white button down shirts. You’re individuals! Celebrate your individuality and be spontaneous, celebrate your lives in color.” At first, my suggestion was met with silence on the other end of the telephone line, and then a quiet “that’s exactly what we were planning on wearing,” followed by a reluctant acceptance. Sure it’s true, I’ve endorsed and even recommended that families don the standard blue-jeans-white-shirt apparel that has become so prevalent these days with environmental portrait photography.

After the Andersons and I started our session at Elena Gallegos Park up in the NE Heights and they saw a few of the early previews in camera, mom turned to me and said, “You know, you’re right, I’m glad we went with the colors”. Without the stiff starch of the shirts and the near military uniformity of the group, I noticed that the family actually seemed more relaxed and able to enjoy themselves than perhaps they may have been had they been precisely matching. The girls were silly and playful and even dad and granddad were able to let down their hair or rather… brush back their hair, as evidenced in the photos…

As we wrapped up the photo shoot and started walking down the trail, we encountered another professional photographer walking in the other direction with a large family in tow, outfitted in dark blue jeans and black button down shirts, marching in a single file procession, almost painstakingly. Mom turned to me and mouthed a silent thank you.
You’re welcome Anderson family, you’re all, quite welcome – I had a great time!!

(click on thumbnail to view larger photo)

A few weeks ago, I was the photographer for several First Holy Communion Ceremonies at Saint Therese Catholic Church in the north Valley here in Albuquerque.
AJ’s mom wanted formal portraits of him all dressed up, but she wanted him to be relaxed and himself, as opposed to having something stiff and generic by way of pictures.
Since I’ve recently moved, and now have a full studio set up both indoors and out at my new house, I was delighted to invite AJ and his mother over for a fun hour of shooting.
This kid is adorable. Serious but funny at the same time. When he wasn’t chasing the rabbits around my yard, he was the perfect model of portraiture.
We grabbed some shots both inside (in my kitchen) and out. It was fun, I hope he and his mom can come back soon!

This particular engagement session has been postponed no less than four times, due to the high winds here in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Their wedding is in June (yes, next month) so the three of us did everything we could to squeeze this session in, somehow (preferably) before the wedding.
We started out at Arroyo Del Oso up in the far Northeast Heights and then worked our way over to the Albuquerque Rose Garden off of Wyoming until the sun set. Between the playground, the fields, the rose garden and the statue we had plenty of places to pick and choose from for a wide variety of great photos.
With this fun couple, no formal posing was involved. I just told them to be themselves and spontaneous and let their own personal love and magic shine — and they did a fantastic job.
Even though their wedding is only 6 weeks away (or a month and a half if you ask Gerrad), I’m really looking forward to working with them on their big day and know that we’re all just going to have a fantastic time.